Page 101 of Rise Above

“I hate to say it, but you aren’t normal,” Davis said,

“Normal went out the door like three years ago. You know it, and I know it. Talon won’t judge you. He’s not that type of guy.”

I licked my bottom lip. “Didn’t you?” Because he

had.

“Fuck.” He grabbed pieces of his hair. “I did, but

I’m not always a good man.”

“You keep telling me to not get involved with him.

You can’t guarantee he won’t judge me. Let it be, Davis.”

“Fine, for now.” He gave me a side hug and left. Anger rattled my body. Everyone thought they

knew what was best for me, but no one ever asked what I thought was best for me. I lived in my body. I dealt with the repercussions, and I was allowed to feel normal even if I wasn’t. I’d never be normal again.

Rubbing my temples, I headed home. I just needed

to sleep. My life was getting weirdly complicated again.

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My phone buzzed with a text from TJ.

TJ: Got back on the ice today.

A smile found its way onto my face. Talon had been

so destroyed after his hand injury, I was worried he would never feel comfortable getting in an arena again. Pride swelled in my chest.

ME: So proud! Congratulations!

My phone started to ring. “Yes sir?”

“How did your final, final go?”

“Honestly, not bad. I’m just glad to be done so I can

focus on my dissertation. Tell me about getting back out there!”

Talon laughed. “Well, congrats, Aife. As for the ice,

it was amazing! I thought I’d be more nervous than I was, but it was like I never even left.” He sighed. “My first game back is Sunday. I got tickets for you, the girls, and Davis. Will you be there?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

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The Chaos Coliseum was in rare form tonight. The

stadium seemed to shake with the enthusiasm from the fans. Maybe they were excited that their favorite enforcer was finally back. Talon seemingly made the game more interesting just on his own. He was talented and seemed to always sway the game in the favor of the Hammers.